Re: My expectations are low now, so I will watch with less angst

Thank you. I agree one hundred percent. We’re all drinking the kool aid as the coaches place the blame on the kids and the execution and have beat the kids up in the media so much you’d think we’ve got this no talent team. This roster is loaded woth talent and to think we are an underdog to a team with far less talent screams coaching failure!! Pitt’s first team offense and defense doesn’t have as much talent as our second string does so why should we resign ourselves to a loss here? We should all be watching this game angry. Our expectations should be high because that is who we are. Far too many are going into this game like we are the little sheep about to face the big bad wolf? We are the wolf and it’s time to expect them to play that way. Stop talking about little improvements each game. This is all on the coach. I think Dabo is a great coach. Maybe the best out there. The issue is his loyalty to guys that aren’t. Dan orlavsky (sorry if I butchered that) called out Clemsons offense last season and if we are honest he’s right. The offense is disjointed, predictable, and easily defended. There’s no nee wrinkles. There’s no creativity? Zero. We’ve heard that they can’t open the play book? Seriously. The QB enrolled early and has been in the system for two years? He can’t figure it out? Ross is in his fourth year here? C’mon are you buying that?

RememberTheDanny

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Oct 23, 2021, 12:29 PM [ in reply to Re: My expectations are low now, so I will watch with less angst ]

Hello TigerDadfromNJ,

Of course you and the OP are frustrated, just like all other Clemson fans.

But a bit over the top with respect to the coaches 'blaming it all on the kids' ... with all respect, that isn't true. Dabo and especially Tony Elliott (the usual targets for frustrated Tiger fans) do verbal somersaults in attempting to avoid 'blaming' the players. We'll focus on T.Elliott here.
T.Elliott lauds his players by NAME when they have a good game, but obliquely criticizes an offense's UNIT when they don't perform well. There is no denying when an offense's UNIT plays poorly, but T.Elliott isn't an A_ _ and defends the individual players by NOT naming them.

When has T.Elliott said that the 2021 Offense has performed fabulously? He spoke of the SC State game as being good because so many players got to play. Outside of SC State, he has spoken truthfully about the specific break-downs of specific offensive UNITs. He hasn't avoided blame; by saying that selected offense units are improving (which they are), he is in a sense saying that their slow development is a shared blame among the offense's coaches (including himself).

As for 'Pitts first team offense and defense doesn't have as much TALENT as our second string' ... here goes: Experience at QB and OL ... especially ... can negate an inherent talent differential. Teams with historically mediocre talent occasionally have great years on offense. Why? If you investigate those teams, most often you'll see that they have significant experience (Sr. and Jr.) on OL. Also, OL recruiting is a somewhat imprecise 'science.' Look at Clemson ... 3* J.McFadden will play in the NFL in two years. 3* Tremayne Anchrum is playing in the NFL. 3* Taylor Hearn was a terrific OG, and had a cup of coffee in the NFL. 3* Gage Cervenka moved to OL (low on depth chart at DL), and became a terrific OG. It wasn't until these guys became upper classmen that their play became truly outstanding. Physical development and synchrony with the other OL members (which takes time) are why the upper-class OL-men perform well. Why do Clemson's 4* OL-men M.Tate and W.Parks get beat more often than we wish? Inexperience is the answer. Pitt's OL is 4 Sr. and 1 Jr., and they have been blessed with perfect continuity (i.e., no injuries or COVID) all season.

QB ... knowledge and experience are tremendously meaningful, especially when supporting talent is not there.

Pitt QB K.Pickett has an experienced OL blocking for him and as a 6th year senior has 'seen it all' ... much like Clemson LB J.Skalski and Safety Nolan Turner have 'seen it all.' Pitt has also avoided injury at WR ... I forget the name of their stud WR, but he is a HEALTHY difference maker.

Clemson QB DJ had minimal experience last year, but when playing was blessed with a fully loaded, HEALTHY (except for J.Ross being out) and highly talented WR Corp. DJ also had an OL with continuity (no injuries all year and super Junior stud J.Carman at LT). So DJ looked good last year.
This year, both the WR Corp AND the OL has been decimated and/or a lack of continuity. And those WR's which have played have had terrible trouble catching the ball (don't know if that is a coaching flaw or if we miss the pass catching studs A.Rodgers and C.Powell ... along with T.Etienne's pass catching skills ... more than anyone would have anticipated). Summary: DJ has not been as effective as last year.

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My expectations are low now, so I will watch with less angst